Vertically adjustable table construction



March 6, 1951 B. HOPPE 2,544,228 Y VERTTCALLY ADJUSTABLE TABLE CONSTRUCTION Filed July 17, 1947 e sheets-sheet 1 ATTORNEYS B. HOPPE 2,544,228

March 6, 1951 VERTICALLY ADJUSTABLE TABLE CONSTRUCTION 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 17, 1947 1&0

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March 6, 1951 B. HOPPE 2,544,228

VERTICALLY ADJUSTABLE TABLE CONSTRUCTION Filed July 17, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEYS March 6, 1951 B, HOPPE VERTICALLY ADJUSTABLE TABLE CONSTRUCTION 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 17, 1947 134 ifa INVENTOR arzsfqp e BY M n? 2612i..

ATTORNEYS March 6, 1951 B. HoPPE 2,544,228

VERTICALLY ADJUSTABLE TABLE CONSTRUCTION Filed July 17, 1947 6 Sheets-Shea?l 5 ay/ 2M 24A /254 256 f/ ,2x2 ,25x zia if; 24d

INVENTOR.

arzlsfajye MWL WM ATTORNEYS March 6, 1951 B. HOPPE VERTICALLY ADJUSTABLE TABLE CONSTRUCTION 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed July 17, 1947 NNN NNN

JNVENTOR.

.Bari s [f90/oe Patented Mar. 6, 1951 VERTICALLY ADJUSTABLE TABLE `CONSTRUCTION Boris Hoppe, Keiv Gardens, N. Y.

Application July 17, 1947, Serial No. 761,690

4 Claims. (C1. 311-62) This invention relates to tables, and more particularly tables adapted for dual use at different table top heights. The application is a continuation in part of a copending application Serial No. 641,739, led January 17, 1946.

The invention has to do with a novel leg construction so constituted as to permit a table to be quickly changed from one having a top of low elevation to one of a high elevation, as for example a table having a table top height cor'-,

responding to the well known cocktail table height, and a table having a height suitable for dining purposes, or a table having a slightly higher table top height suitable for work purposes.

The leg construction in its extensible features may be so constructed as to cooperate with table extending leaves, to extend the top area thereof, or, on the other hand, carry shelving at a handy level beneath the table or body as may be found desirable. Other advantages of the construction provide counterbalancing of the table elevating mechanism so as to ease the shifting of table top levels, as well as to coordinate the leg motions to minimize the effort and attention required in shifting the dual purpose table from one level to another.

The above and other novel features of the invention will appear more fully from the following detailed description `of several representative modifications when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are employed for purposes of illustration only and are not designed as a definition ofthe limits of the invention, reference being had for this purpose to the appended claims.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like parts,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of one form of the table, with certain parts in section and the side skirt removed; i

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the modification of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is afragmentary detail view, partly in section, showing the relation of the parts of the modification in Fig. 1 when elevated; .l

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of' another form of the invention;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary end View of the modification of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, showing another modification of the invention; v

Fig. 7 is a bottom plan view of the modification of Fig. 6; l

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, of the modification of Fig. 7, showing the table in elevated position;

Fig. 9 is a side elevation of another modification of the invention with the table skirt removed;

Fig. 9a is a caster detail especially applicable to the modification of Fig. 9;

Fig. 10 is a side elevation of a still further modification of the invention;

Fig. 11 is a sectional detail of the modification of Fig. 10 taken substantially on the line Il-II of Fig. 10;

Fig. l2 is a modified elevational view, partly in section, of a form of that shown in Fig. 10; ti Fig. 13 is a further modification of the inven- Fig. 10a is a view of the embodiment of Fig. 10 in elevated position; and

Fig. 12a. is a, view of the embodiment of Fig. 12 in elevated position.

Referring ,to Figs. 1-3, there is shown a table in its lowered position, in which position it would serve as what is known as a cocktail table. The table comprises a top 28, having surrounding skirt 22. Secured to the under side of the top are a pair of jointed leg panels, comprising upper members 24 and 26, and lower members 28 and 38. The upper members are hinged or otherwise pivotally connected to the table top as at 32 and 34, and hingedly or pivotally connected to the vlower members as at 36 and 38. In the position shown, the upper members 24 and 26 are horizontally disposed, and the lower members support the table top through engagement with the side skirt 22 of the top.

Secured to the under side of the table top, and centrally thereof, are a pair of depending spaced brackets 40 and 42 formingya housing and support for the coordinating arms or links 44 and 46 pivoted at 48 and 58 on the brackets 40 and 42, the arms also being pivotally connected as at 5| and 53 to brackets 52 and 54 extending horizontally inward from the lower leg members 28 and 30, the sameV being rigidly secured by angle mem- V.5 0 the pivots 32, 36, 5l and 48, and 34, 38, 53 and 50 are the corners of true parallelograms. Thus when the upper leg members 24 and 26 are swung to a vertical position (see Fig. 3) the lower leg members remain vertical, although they become v55 more closely spaced with resp-ect to each other,

' being in alignment with'the upper leg members 24 and 26. Through such an arrangement the table height is raised substantially by the length of the upper leg members 24 and 26, less the distance the skirt 22 depends below the under side of the table top.

In order to coordinate the movement of both pairs of legs, in changing the height of the table, the arms 44 and 46 are provided with drum portions 56 and 88, to the'peripheries of which are secured iiexible straps 69 and 62, the drums being substantially in rolling engagement with one any other save for the thickness of either vstrap 69 and 62. The straps are cross connected, that is, one end of strap 69 is secured as at 64 to drum 58 and its other end secured as at 66 to drujn 56;, and strap 62 is secured as at 68 to drum 56 and as at l to drum 58. Thus the arms 44 and 46 are constrained to rotate oppositely in unisonso that the movement of the legs at one end automatically effects movement of the legs at the other end. y

To counterbalanc'e the weight of the top, 'and thus facilita raising the top to the elevated positio'n, and` at the same time to prevent its weight from tending to fall when lowering to the polsition shown, one or more counterbalance springs 12 may be employed. As shown, the spring is tensioned between an eye 14 in the arm 56, and an 'eye 'i6 in the table top 20. The upperv leg member 24 is notched as at 18 to cle'ai` the eyes 16 in the position shown.

The pivots 5| and 53 upon the brackets 52 and 54 are placed in notches I9 and 38, and the brackets extend to provide interengagng bumper surfaces 82 'and 8e which engage one another when the table is elevated, to provide in a measure a bracing action. d

In the modified forin of the invention shown in Figsfl and 5, the upper leg elements which are adapted to take a horizontal position or a vertical position, are secured to drop leaves of a drop leaf type of table', so as to provide a relatively small area table of more than usual height, such as a height suitable for work, and an expanded drop leaf table, that is, V with the leaves extended of a height suitable for dining.

Referring to Fig. 4, the center vsection of the table top 96 has hinged thereto drop leaves 9 2, 94, the hinges appearingat 96, 98. Beneath each of the drop leaves 92, 94 are sillsr99 and |60, respectively, which correspond in operation to the upper leg elements of the, modificationo-f Figs. l to 3. The sills,9 9 and |09 are hingedly connected as at |02 and |04 to pedestal legs |06, |08, terminating in base portions E0, ||2 hav-ing floor-engaging feet or casters |I4, H6, there being two casters upon each base relatively widely spaced apart, as will be understood in the art.

Depending from the center of the underside of the table top section 96, are a pair of spaced brackets one of which appears at ||8. Pivoted between the spaced brackets are a pair oi arms -or links |29, |22 arranged on pivot pins |24, |26. The ends of the arms are pivotally connected as at |28 and |36, to the pedestals |86-, |38. The arrangement is such, as in the modification of Fig. l, that the pivot points 96, |04, |39 and |26, and 98, |02, |28 and |24 are at the corners of parallelograms sufch that, as the legs are extended by reason of the sills 99 and |89 being moved to Vertical Ypositions and forming leg extensions, the pedestal portions vof the legs |06, |08 remain in parallel relation to `one another.

The rarms |20, |22 may have drum-like portions |32, |34 upon which are arranged cross' straps |36, as described in the modiiication of Fig. l, for coordinating the movement of both legs when the elevation of the table is to be changed. There may be provided a bracket |38 of substantially triangular shape, hinged as at |40 to the under surface of the drop leaf 94, so that the table ,in the position shown in Fig. 4 may be braced against any movement of th'e parts as might otherwise result by one leaning heavily upon the outer extremity of the drop leaves 94 and 92. The triangular block may be swung so as tolie i'n ra horizontal plane parallel with the drop leaf 94, whereupon its function as a brace is eliminated and the table readily moved to elevated position. The legs |08 at their upper ends may have 'a supporting bracket |3| adapted to engage abutments |33, to steady the table when inthe position shown. l

I Referring to the modification of Figs. 6 7 and 8 (also yshown in appliclationrser. No. 641,739, filed January '17., 194e), there is shown a table 'to'p coiiprising'la center section |50 and side sections |52 and |54 'pivotally `secured to the center section by hinges |56,` |58. Thfe I'center section is provided with a short skirt |60 on either side and vthe end sections are likewise provided Awith a skiitin the fo`r'r`n of "side members |62. The side nl'enibe'r's |62l 'are arranged in staggered relation to the skirt 60 `so that upon hingivng the: top portions |52A land |54, 'as is 'shown inFig. 8, the skirts |60 and |62Awill not interfere. Each of the skirt members |62 is provided with a depending ear or lug |66 adjacent each corner of the table, to which are. pivotally connected table legs |68, as at 69. The table legs 168 'at either end are connected by a member |64-, acting as an end skirt. Each of the skirt members 1'64 `is provided with an dinwardly` eitending arm V|`| 0 hingedly connected to u iiks |12 at |13 and |15. y The unks |12 areV pivotally connectedl to the under side of the lcenter table top section lso at 11a, 11a, 'respectively.l As the previous modifications, the pivot points '|3`, |14, |69 and |58, and the corresponding pivot points at the other end of the table are arranged upon a parallelogram 'so that parallel movement of the legs |68 with relation to each other is always assured. l

vIn order to coordinate 'the movement of the two pairsof `legs |68Aatthe time that it is desired to shift the height of the center section of the table., there is .provided an endless chain passing about 'free running 4pulleys |82, |84, the chain having introduced `therein on the o'pposite reaches thereof links |86-, |88 having provision for pivotal connection at |90, |792 to the central portion of `-each of the links |12, so that upon the movement of the legs at one end of the table to varythe Vheight 0f the center section, the legs at the other end of the table are forced to move in a symmetrical fashion. Thus by merely raising or lowering the center section of the top of the table and positioning one pair of legs, the Aentire operation of properly positioning the remaining legs -is automatically taken lcare of.

In lthe modification 'of Fig. 9, the tableshown is adapted to be supported in its elevatedposition upon inclined legs vhaving upper and lower elements, and when in its lowered position is vadapted to rest upon the lowervelements of the legs, arranged in parallel relation. Briefly, the table top 200 has hingedly secured ,to its vunder side,` upper leg elements 202 ar 1d 204 and lower leg elements 206 and 208. Each of the elements may be panel-like as in the modification of Fig l. The lower elements 266 and 266 are provided with inwardly extending brackets 216 and 212 to which links 214 and 216 are pivotally connected. The links in turn are pivoted on pins 216, 226 .arranged between spaced brackets one of which is shown at 222. VThe links may have keyed thereto for rotation on the pins 216 and 226, a pair of intermeshing sector gears 224, for the purpose of synchronizing the movement of the legs 206 and 268, and the upper members thereof 262 and 264. When the table is inthe elevated position shown, the brackets 216 and v212 act as bumpers through a felt pad or the like,

at 226, to thereby steady the table.

When the table is placed in its lowered position the upper leg members 262 and ,264 take the positions shown by dotted lines 262' and 264 and the lower leg elements 296 and 268 take the positions shown at 266' and 268.

In this modification it will be appreciated that 4 Athe pivot points 299 and 211 between the leg elements and the hinge connections 213 and 215 between the upper elements and the table, and

the pivot points upon the links 214 and 216, are

not in exact parallelogram arrangement, this being for the reason that it is desired to cause the lower leg elements 266 and 266 to swing from the inclined position shown when the table is in elevated position, to the parallel relationship shown by dotted lines when the table is in its lowered position. Deviation from the parallelograrn relation of the pivot points as previously described in the various modifications is relatively slight and may be effected in any desired manner to produce the desired slight angular movement of the legs upon changing the elevation of the table top.

The extent of movement of the legs along the iioor when shifting ther table from one elevation to the other may be varied by varying the leg4 inclination in the elevated position. The inclination may be increased over that shown so that leg ends in floor engagement will not require shifting along the floor when the table height is varied.

This modification may be provided with casters as shown in Fig. 9a, the casters 228 being adapted to engage the floor when the legs are vertical, as at 266', and being lifted from the floor by the floor-engaging heel 229, which conn tacts the floor when the legs are on a slant as at 266, the heel being of such a length as to automatically contact the floor when the legs are slanted.

In the modification shown in Fig. 16, the center section of the table top 239 is provided with side leaf sections 232, 234 hinged to the center section as at 236 and 238. The leaf 234 is -provided with an additional hinged drop leaf section 235 with a knee-action brace 246, the links 242 and 244 of which are adapted to be held in alignment when the leaf is positioned horizon'- tally in alignment with the leaf section 234. The side sections or leaves 232, and 234 are provided with bolsters 246, 246 which are hingedly connected to pairs of legs 256, 252, the hinge connections being indicated at 254 and 256, respectively. The legs in this form may be in the form of tubes with the floor-engaging ends curved outwardly for tangential engagement with the floor. Each of the pairs of legs 256, 252 have top plates or bracket-like members 258, 266, extending inwardly of the table and to which arms or links 262 and 264 forming parts of bell cranks 6 bell cranks are pivoted as at 266 and 268 btween the depending brackets 216 and 212, and bell crank arms 214 and 216, which are of substantially the same length, are connected by a link 218. The angular movement of the bell cranks is such as to approximate and the arms 214 and 216 are arranged so as to extend at right angles to one another, with the link 218 extending substantially upon a line having a 45 slope with respect to either arm. The distance between pivots 266 and 268 is approximately double the length of one of the arms 214 or 216. Thus as the arm 216 moves to a verti- .cal position, and the arm 214 becomes horizontal, the link 218 is repositioned on a 45 angle with respect to either arm. i

To hold the links in the position shown and thus positively hold the table in open position, a detent 266 is provided pivoted at 282 and bearing against arm 216 when in the position shown. A rock shaft 284 with a handle 286 may form the pivot shaft for the detent 286, and be keyed thereto, so that the detent can be conveniently moved against the tension of spring 288, to an inactive position to permit raising of the central section of the table. The leg connecting arms 262 and 264 of the bell cranksand their pivot points 261 and 266, and 263 and 268 bear parallelogram relation to the pivots 236 and 254 and 238 and 256, respectively, so that the legs are held in parallel relation during the movements described.

If it be desired, like bell cranks 266 and 292 may be employed as in Fig. 12, in which case they may be arranged on a common pivot 294. In such an arrangement, the crank arms 296 and 268 are connected by suitable links 369 and 362 pivoted upon the upper blocks or leg elements as at 364 and 366, the distance between the hinge connections 363 and 316 between the blocks -and table top and pivot points 364 and 365 being the same as the effective length of the arms 296 and 293. If the bell cranks are. adapted to rotate 90 in the movement of the top from the lower position to the elevated position, the arms 296 and 298 will preferably extend in a direction 45 from the horizontal, when in either end position, and the line between pivot points 364 and 368 and also the line between points 366 and 316 will extend in directions at 45 from the horizontal, it being assumed that these angles apply when. the, links 366 and 362 are arranged to extend substantiall horizontal.

In the form shown in Fig. 13, each of the pairs of legs 314 and 316 are provided with shelf-like projections 318 and 326, rigidly secured to their respective pairs of legs. The shelves are each provided with upstanding column members 322 and 324, of a length suitable for engagement with the under surface of the top 326, when the upper leg members, 323 and 336, and their respective top leaves 332 and 334 are positioned horizontally. As with certain of the above examples, pivoted arms or links 336 and 338 are provided having synchronizing cross connected straps 346, and the pivots 342, 344, 346 and 348 for legs 314, and the corresponding pivots for legs 316, are arranged to form a parallelogram, so that the legs move to parallel positions.

It will be seen from the foregoing disclosure that there is provided a table construction having a dual function making it possible to employ such a table in housing projects where efcient use of space isv of great importance. The various forms of synchronizing devices may be applied to any of the different `embodiments with such ychanges as will at once appeal' requisite after an under'- standing o'f the principles involved. In some .instances lit may be desirable to eliminate the synchronilzing mechanism in 'any or all of the .modiiic'at'iens, thereby permitting the shifting of the legs at one 'end independently of the legs at the other end to accommodate 'change Iin design. Also any of the modicati'ons may be spring balanced as in Figure l, either by 'tension springs as shwn or by the utilization 'of well known spr-ing hinges lfor example. Also the table heights, and a determination as to whether the table area 'may be 'altered as in the drop leaf type or "remain constant, as for example in the form of Fig. l, are considerations which will at once appear to be in 'the range of 'equivalents applicable to the different forms.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in a number of different forms', it is to be understood that the invention is not to be lim'- ited thereto, but 'may be embodied in various modified forms. As many changes in construction and arrangement of parts may be made to accommodate varying requirements, without departing from the spirit of the invention, as will be apparent to th'o'se skilled in the art, reference will be had to the appended `claims for 'a 'dennitionof the limits of 'the invention.

What'is claimed and 'desired to be 'secured by Letters Patent is:

l. In a table construction having a top 'rniddle portiontadjustable for use at either a lower or upper elevation while being retained horizontal, the combination comprising two lower leg structures which are spaced apart when said top 'portion is adjusted to the upper elevation and Turther spaced apart when Vsaid 'top portion is at the lower elevation, a kpair of drop-'leaf structures hingedly connected to lopposite ledges of said top portion and providing substantially vertical upward continuations for said lower leg structures respectively when said top portion is at the upper elevation, said drop leaf structures respectively lbeing pivotally connected to points xed with respect to the uppern ends of said leg structures, a pair of links each 'pivotally connected at a point 'fixed with respect to the underside of the midpart of said table top portion, said links also being pivotally connected respectively at 'points xed with respect vto said lower leg structures, whereby said 4leg structures, portions of said drop leaf structures and said links collectively form under each 'side of the table, substantially a quadrilateral linkage with fthe table top, and additional means located just beneath the mid portion of 'the table top and vinterconnecting one of said quadrilateral linkages with the other and coacting therewith to cause said members to pivot vthrough equal and opposite angles 'when said table top portion is raised or lowered.

2. In a table construction having `a top adjustable for use at either a lower or 'upper velevation while being retained horizontal, the combination ,6

ne'cted at spaced points with respect to the underside of the top, a pair of links each pivotally connected at a point xed with respect to the underside of the mid-portion of the table top, said links also being pivotally connected respectively at points xed with .respect to said lower leg structures, whereby said leg structures, members and links collectively form under each side of the table, substantially a quadrilateral linkage with the table top, and additional vmeans located just beneath the mid portion of the table top and interconnecting one of said quadrilateral linkages with the other and coacting therewith to cause said members to vpivot through equal and opposite angles when the table top is raised or lowered.

3. In a 'table construction having a top adjustable for use at leither 'a lower or upper elevation while being retained horizontal, the combination comprising two lower leg structures which .are spaced apart when the top is adjusted to the upper elevation and further spaced apart when the top is at the lower elevation, a pair of members which form upward continuations for said leg structures respectively when the top is at the upper elevation and which are directed inwardly toward each other in folded positions along below the level of the table top when the latter is at the lower elevation, one end of each of said members respectively ybeing pivotally connected to points Xed with respect to the upper ends of said leg structures, the other ends of said members respectively being pivotally connected at spaced points with respect to the underside of 'the top, 'a pair of links each pivotally connected at a point iixed with respect to the underside vof the mid-portion of the table top, said links also being pivotally connected respectively 'at vpoints fixed with respect to said lower leg structures, and additional linkage means with connections to control the relative movement of said members with respect to the underside of the mid portion of the table top to cause said 'members to pivot through equal and opposite angles when the table top is raised or lowered.

4. In a table construction having a top 'portion adjustable for use at either a 'lower or upper elevation while being retained horizontal, the comlbination comprising 'two lower leg structures which are spaced apart when said top portion is adjusted to the upper elevation and further spaced apart when said top portion is at the lower elevation, articulated link-like connections between the upper portions of each of said lleg structures and said top portion, such connection for at least one of said leg structures comprising part of a drop-leaf structure hingedly connected to an edge of said top portion and .providing an upward continuation 'of its leg structure when the top portion is at the upper-elevation and being `pivotally connected to a point fixed with respect to the upper end of its said leg structure, a link pivotally connected at a point xed with respect to the underside of the mid-part of said top portion, the other end of Said link being pivotally connected 'at a point `lixed with respect to said Ilast named leg structure, a bell crank having its intermediate pivot at a point lixed with respect to the underside of said top portion, one arm of said bell crank being pivotally connected to a link which in turn is pivotally connected with respect 'to said drop-leaf, and the other bell-crank arm 'being pivotally 'connected rat a point fixed with respect'to the other of Ssaid lower leg structures,

the parts being so proportioned that downwardly 9 10 and upward movements respectively of the drop- Number Name Date rleaf cause the leg structures to move through 940,804 Hanson Nov. 23, 1909 equal distances, with respect to the top portion, 1,042,020 McCarty Oct. 22, 1912 toward and away from each other. 1,069,483 Simonton Aug. 5, 1913 BORIS HOPPE. 5 1,074,753 Smouse Oct. V'7, 1913 1,115,731 Owens Nov. 3, 1914 REFERENCES CITED 1,621,324 Hughes Mar. 15, 1927 The following references are of record in the 1,808,305 Howe June 6: 1931 le of this patent: gtoe Jll/[ne 2g: a z ar.

UNTTED STATES PATENTS lo 2,035,718 Perl Mar. 31, 193s Number Name Date 2,256,004 Thomas Sept. 16, 1941 135,274 Hofmann Jan. 28, 1873 2,329,213 Neutra et a1 Sept. 14, 1943 587,518 Bartelle Aug. 3, 1897 2,409,495 Kelley Oct. 15, 1946 893,031 Stone July 14, 1908 15 

